Hammond says UK must seek ‘middle way’ in Brexit talks

Philip Hammond played down reports of a row with No 10 over his stance that Britain’s relationship with the EU should only change “modestly” after BrexitHannah McKay/Reuters

Philip Hammond risked ending a fragile Tory truce on Europe as he called for the UK to seek a “middle way” in Brexit talks.

Speaking the day after No 10 distanced Theresa May from his remarks that Britain’s relationship with the EU should change only “very modestly” after Brexit, the chancellor said there were camps on both side of the debate who oppose a “pragmatic” approach.

Yesterday evening, Jacob Rees-Mogg accused the government of adopting a “timid and cowering” approach to the talks. As chairman of the European Research Group, Mr Rees-Mogg commands the loyalty of about 50 Tory MPs but Mr Hammond insisted that the government’s Brexit plans would not be dictated by Tory rebels.

“There are people on both sides of this argument…

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